ADH is now DCIS and LCIS

Golfnut33

hi all

Had a lumpectomy on July 10 for ADH but met with surgeon today and was told actually have over 5cm of DCIS with also LCIS found. I wasn’t given any ER/PR status and I am on hrt.

Surgeon didn’t get clear margins so has already booked me for another lumpectomy on 28 August with radiation after (DCIS was grade 3). I feel a little like I’m being rushed into it without knowing all the facts. Additionally the surgeon is a general surgeon and although she seems good she doesn’t spend a lot of time with you I.e. 5-6 mins. She did touch on a possible mastectomy but said I wouldn’t be able to have reconstruction because of my type 1 diabetes (well controlled with no complications ever)

Should I ask for hormone receptor status and get a second opinion? Also why didn’t the biopsy pick this up? What else are they missing?

I thought I was done and now I feel like I’m back at square one again....

Georgia1

Ugh, so sorry Golfnut. Unfortunately the biopsy and pathology reports can differ -- the biopsy only gets a few cells, while the pathology report gets a larger tissue sample that is examined "slice by slice." And definitely, I would get a second opinion from an experienced breast cancer surgeon before making any decisions. IMHO, a general surgeon is simply not equipped to do anything except cut. And what good is that, really? If you find a good breast cancer center, you should be able to see an oncologist as well as a surgeon who is well versed in discussing lumpectomy vs masectomy vs "watchful waiting."

All best wishes; I know getting the news would have been rough.

Golfnut33

thanks Georgia1

My doctor is really exceptional so seeing her today and will hopefully get more info and a referral for a second opinion. Feels like breast surgeon has no idea who I am -doesn’t seem to remember my medical history and before lumpectomy was told it was no problem to get revision surgery to make boobs match - now she seems like she’s not even going to refer me for that!

I am happy to do another lumpectomy if she can get clear margins but when I asked if this was going to be enough she was joking that there wouldn’t be any breast left if she had to go in a third time - possibly not the best joke after she’s just said I can’t have any reconstruction...

Feeling better today though ...

At this rate I’ll be finished just in time for my 6 month check up on the other boob which is due in november